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Solar Eclipse on 15 Jan 2010- Facts and Myths

Sujith — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 09:32:09 +0000

Last year Jul 22 there was a full solar eclipse. Due to monsoon clouds many of us couldn’t watch that . Now within the span of one year, another solar eclipse, which is viewable for full 10.4 min in India. Annular solar eclipse occurs when the sun and the moon are exactly in line, but the apparent size of the moon’s shadow is smaller than that of the visible disc of the sun. The covered sun, therefore, appears as a ‘Ring of Fire’, with its rays appearing spread out from the outline of the moon.
The eclipse starts from Uganda, passes through Nairobi, and enters to south ocean. In India, the eclipse will start around 11 a.m. and end around 3:15 p.m. The same will be clearly visible in Southern Indian – Madurai, Kumbakonam, Kannyakumari, Nagercoil, Palayamkottai, Tirunellveli, Thanjavur, Trivandrum, Tuticorin (Toothukudi), Chennai and other parts of SouthIndia. People in most parts of India will witness the partial phases of the eclipse. The eclipse is viewable for full 10.4 min in India. The best place to watch the eclipse is Dhanushkodi and Rameswaram, the southern part of Tamilnadu. The last time an annular eclipse was viewed from India was on 23 November 1965. The next one will be on 26 December 2019.

Path of the Eclipse

A lot Eclipse enthusiastic, astronomical clubs and science clubs across India are making arrangements to view this natural phenomenon.

Some myths on Solar Eclipse

Some myths and superstitions on this natural phenomenon , the people across many part of the world especially in India reluctant to watch Solar Eclipse. As per Hindu mythology solar eclipse occurs when Rahu and Ketu, two evil demons, swallow the Sun, snuffing out its life giving light.” Here some myths on solar eclipse.

Pregnant women are advised not to go outside during the eclipse to avoid having a blind baby or one with a cleft lip.
Food cooked before the eclipse should be thrown out afterward as it becomes impure
Taking a bath is must after the eclipse
Not to come outside the room during Eclipse.
Anyone holding a knife during an eclipse will cut themselves.
In Japan, the custom is to cover wells during an eclipse to prevent poison from dropping into them from the darkened sky.
The Chinese would produce great noise and commotion (drumming, banging on pans, shooting arrows into the sky, and the like) to frighten away the dragon and restore daylight

All these things are baseless. This is a 100 % scientifically explained natural phenomenon. Come out of your room and watch it safely.

How to watch the solar eclipse safely?

Eclipses, even partial ones, should not be viewed with the naked eye or through binoculars, a telescope, beer bottle or photographic film, as this can permanently damage the retina. Observers should use proper optical filters such as welding-goggle glass, eclipse spectacles or a solar projection kit for their telescope.

In my post on the 22 Jul 2009 Solar Eclipse I’ve explained the method to view and take photographs of the Solar Eclipse safely.

Birthday wishes to Isaac Newton through a beautiful Google doodle

Sujith — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 03:07:17 +0000

Today (04 Jan) is the birthday of the great scientist Sir Isaac Newton (4 January 1643 – 31 March 1727). Google’s birthday wishes to him through beautiful “apple doodle” with a “dropping apple” animation on loading home page. Birthday wishes to Isaac Newton and congratulation to Google doodler . The innovative doodle ideas are really praiseworthy. Google is displaying different types of creative doodles on various occasions like birthday of great people, Major events, Important days etc. Google has already conducted several competition on doodle creation for students. In 2009 they have conducted a design competition for Nov 14 in India also. The winning doodle was displayed on the Google India homepage on November 14. Clicking on a Google Doodle links to a string of Google search results about the topic.

Wikipedia article on Isaac Newton

Longest Solar Eclipse of the century for Indians on 22 July – Watch it safely

Sujith — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 07:51:44 +0000

The solar Eclipse is a most spectacular astronomical event that most people will experience in their lives. Thousands of astronomers (both amateur and professional) travel around the world to observe and photograph them.Now another solar Eclipse coming on Jul 22. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity, it will never going to come in your life again. The next one will be after 105 years ie 03 Jun 2114. One more attraction is the Eclipse is at morning hours,which gives a wonderful opportunity to take fascinating photographs with less fear of accidental naked eye exposure.

Eclipse in India:

Coverage of eclips (courtesy aaadelhi.org)

This eclipse is the 21st centuries longest solar eclipse. The total duration is expected to be 6 minutes . As per the words of N. Rathnasree, Director, Nehru Planetarium “This eclipse is of special interest for the scientists and general public of India as its path of totality passes through thickly populated regions of west, central, east and north-east India.” Eclipse begins at 05:28 AM and ends around 10:42 AM. It is not safe to watch the partial solar eclipse directly without using special apparatus. Failure to use proper observing methods may result in permanent eye damage or severe visual loss.

How to watch safely

Direct methods:

The only time that the Sun can be viewed safely with the naked eye is during a total eclipse, when the Moon completely covers the disk of the Sun. It‘s dangerous to watch with naked eyes a partial solar eclipse.The easiest method is use a welder’s goggle or glass (number 14), which is an effective, safe cheap filter to watch. Another one is Aluminized mylar specially manufactured for solar observation (check with nearest planetarium or space / science club for availability).

Indirect methods (Safest)

Get two sheets of white paper. Stiff cardboard is best.Punch a small hole in the center of one of the sheets. The hole should be about the size of a pencil point.Turn your back to the sun and hold the sheet with the hole up so that the sun is shining on one of the flat sides and through the hole.Hold the second sheet in the shadow of the first, about 1/2 meter (2 feet) away. An image of the eclipsed sun should appear.Move the sheets closer to each other to get a smaller, sharper image.

Make a pinhole projection Box

It’s the popular methods followed by the amateurs to view the partial solar eclipse.Make a pinhole camera using a hardboard box and watch the eclipse as shown

Digital camera to take shots:

Using a digital camera it’s easy to take shots or record the eclipse. Will get wonderful shots since the eclips is in the morning time. (Caution: Don’t look in to sun directly through the eye piece of camera) More details here.

Important

Don’t watch sun through bare eye.
Don’t Use X ray films, carbonated/smoked glasses, sunglasses to watch directly.
Don’t watch sun directly with binoculars and telescope without appropriate standard filters.
Use the safest method of watching (Pin hole projection)
Never shoot the eclyps by viewing the sun through eye piece of camera.

Don’t adict to the roumers and myths on Eclipse. It’s a fully explained phenomena. Follow proper safety precautions and enjoy this wonderful feast of the universe. Get up early on 22nd July, It will not comeback, the one and only chance in your whole life!! Enjoy the eclipse and write your feedbacks.

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